One For My Baby
Julie London Lyrics


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Okay, and once again, here's Bette Midler

{Well, you know, when they asked me to come on and
I can't believe it, the last, the last guest
The last fool Mr. Carson will have to suffer gladly
You are the wind beneath my wings
Oh, well he is}
Quarter to three
There's no one in the place except you and me
So set 'em up, Joe
Got a little story, I think you should know

We're drinkin', my friend
To the end of a sweet episode
Make it one for my baby
And one more for the road

Got the routine
So drop another nickel in the machine
Oh, gee, I'm feelin' so bad
Wish you'd make the music so dreamy and sad

You could tell me a lot
But it's not in a gentleman's code
Let's make it one for my baby
And one more for the road

You may not know it but buddy you're a kind of poet
And you've had a lot of things to say
And when I'm gloomy, you always listen to me
Until it's talked away

Well, that's how it goes
And John I know you're getting anxious to close
So, thanks for the cheer
I hope you didn't mind me, bending your ear

For all of the years
For the laughs, for the tears
For the class that you showed

Make it one for my baby
And one more for the road
That long, long road





"Thank you, Bette, ah"

Overall Meaning

Julie London's song One for My Baby is a melancholic ballad that portrays the story of a man and his bartender, Joe, as they share a bittersweet and reflective moment late at night. The song begins with the singer realizing that it is quarter to three, and he is in a bar with nobody else present apart from Joe, the bartender. They go through the routine of ordering a drink, and the singer asks Joe to make the music dreamy and sad, setting the scene for reflection. The singer then divulges that he has a story to tell, and he asks Joe to pour him one for my baby and one more for the road.


The song's lyrics are captivating as they provide a glimpse into the heart of a man in turmoil. The singer conveys that he has had a rough journey and that he needs to let go of the past and move on. He reveals to Joe that he is gloomy and that Joe has always been there to listen to him and talk away his troubles. In the end, the singer expresses his gratitude to Joe for being there, for the laughs, tears, and the class he has shown.


Line by Line Meaning

Quarter to three
It's very late at night


There's no one in the place except you and me
We're alone in this bar


So set 'em up, Joe
Please pour us some drinks, Joe


Got a little story, I think you should know
I have a story to tell you


We're drinkin', my friend
We're enjoying our drinks together


To the end of a sweet episode
Cheers to the end of a good time we had


Make it one for my baby
Give me another drink to enjoy


And one more for the road
One last drink before we leave


Got the routine
I know how this goes


So drop another nickel in the machine
Play another song on the jukebox


Oh, gee, I'm feelin' so bad
I'm feeling sad


Wish you'd make the music so dreamy and sad
I want to hear a sad song to match my mood


You could tell me a lot
You could share your stories with me


But it's not in a gentleman's code
It wouldn't be proper


Let's make it one for my baby
Give me another drink to enjoy


And one more for the road
One last drink before we leave


You may not know it but buddy you're a kind of poet
You have a talent for expressing yourself


And you've had a lot of things to say
You have lots of stories to share


And when I'm gloomy, you always listen to me
You're always there for me when I'm sad


Until it's talked away
Until I feel better after talking about it


Well, that's how it goes
That's just the way things are


And John I know you're getting anxious to close
I know it's getting late and the bar is closing soon


So, thanks for the cheer
Thank you for the good time


I hope you didn't mind me, bending your ear
I hope you don't mind me talking so much


For all of the years
For all the time we've spent here


For the laughs, for the tears
For the good times and the bad times we had together


For the class that you showed
For how you've been respectful and polite


Make it one for my baby
Give me another drink to enjoy


And one more for the road
One last drink before we leave


That long, long road
The long journey ahead of us




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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